Fixing the Foundational Issues in Your Faith to Conquer Stress
Striving to get everything done, disregarding the shortness of breath, racing heartbeat, and discomfort in chest. Always thinking about what else is there left to do. There is one thing left to do, that is vital and significant for your mind, body, soul, and spiritual wellbeing. Its called, Rest! When we find ourselves unable to get rest, its speaks to a foundational issue that may be present in our faith. Are we trusting and believing in the Word of God. Jesus says, His burden is lighter and easy to bear. Are we believing that He can carry us through? There are adjustments to our lifestyle we can apply in order for us to find the rest we so desperately need. This has been an area in my life I have been working at and while still not perfect The Word of God reminds us to slow down. I will share a few scriptures with you and tips to help with minimizing stress and trusting God more with the rest.
When you truly think about the origin of where stress begins you would think it would be an easy fix right, but we begin to create habits out of unhealthy thought processes. So the origin of where stress begins is in the mind. We rehash a thought over and over sending our bodies into fight or flight until the task is complete. Unfortunately, our minds begin to latch onto this way of thinking until we find the next thing and the next thing and so on and so forth. Before you know, headaches begin to form, our heart starts racing, and we just cannot seem to catch our breath. What does the Word of God say about this? Because renewing our mind is the first and important tip that will help to ground your mind from spiraling out of control. Matthew 11:28 says, "Then Jesus said, Come to me, all of you who are weary and I will give you rest." Tip #1 When we turn to Jesus, His Word, it will bring rest to our soul. Take a moment daily to remind yourself of God's promises. Set a timer if you have too.
Take some time out to focus on where you begin to slow down, where you start pushing yourself to the point where it begins to hurt. Up until that point think about how many tasks you were able to complete. Your stopping point should be well before you get to this place. Tip #2 Establish a stopping point. The enemy wants us to over extend ourselves beyond the capacity that leads into a danger zone. Yes, stay consistent and provide what you can to the task each day, then rest and don't worry. 1 Peter 5:7 says, "Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." God cares about you and does not want you causing harm to yourself to get something done that can wait until tomorrow.
Do you know when you believe in The Word of God, not just some of it, but all of it, Jesus says we are blessed. John 20:29 says, "Then Jesus told him, "You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me." When you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, then that settles it. We have to build a strong foundation right there. When we have stress its a sign we are not fully trusting and over doing it. The enemy will try to bring doubt, but the Holy Spirit brings truth. Test the spirit and know what voice you are following. If The Lord tells you to rest, then you need to go and lay down simple right, then when thoughts arise, and they will, saying you have to do this and take care of that, it is all a ploy to try to disrupt your rest. Thank God for the Holy Spirit, that will also come and remind you of what God has said before the thoughts tried to bombard you. Let your Faith be the solid ground on which The Lord comes to build. Tip #3 The greatest advice I can give you here is to stay out of your head and stay planted in the Holy Bible. If people speak against what God has already spoken then know what God says stands and the rest let it fall off like raindrops on a ducks back.
I pray for every person reading this article, that The Lord mends the foundation of your Faith so you are able to thrive, conquer stress though The Word of God and be a beacon of light that shines so bright. The enemy fights us hard when we are close to elevating in Christ. Going up another level in Faith will come with its obstacles, but staying firmly rooted in Him, is what God has equipped us to do. Knowing your identity in Jesus Christ seals the deal. Just Believe!
Remember to reach out to a mental health professional if you experience chronic anxiety or panic attacks.